Dec 15, 2023 10:00 EST

Stage & Screen

 
  Lot 5101
 

5101

A sketch of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday

Estate / Collection: The Collection of EJ Gonzalez

EDITH HEAD

Original sketch for a ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Design for Paramount Pictures, circa 1953. Gouache and pencil sketch on paper. Unsigned. The sheet measures 16 7/8 x 13 7/8 inches (42.75 x 35.25 cm). Framed. Faint creasing from handling, wear to corners with a small loss to the lower left corner, a number of pin holes at top two corners, 1 1/4 inch tear at left edge, otherwise fine.

A sketch for a ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in her breakout role as Princess Anne in William Wyler's classic 1953 comedy, Roman Holiday. The dress appears in the opening scene of the film, when the Princess is shown in newsreels greeting and dancing with dignitaries at an official reception. According to an interview with Head broadcast just after the film's release (viewable on YouTube), she made two regal costumes for the scene: one black gown and this silver brocade gown. Head explained that she ended up choosing the present silver dress because it was, "a little more photographic, a little gayer." Head won her fifth of eight Academy Awards in costume design for her work on the film.

Estimated at $6,000 - $8,000

 

Estate / Collection: The Collection of EJ Gonzalez

EDITH HEAD

Original sketch for a ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Design for Paramount Pictures, circa 1953. Gouache and pencil sketch on paper. Unsigned. The sheet measures 16 7/8 x 13 7/8 inches (42.75 x 35.25 cm). Framed. Faint creasing from handling, wear to corners with a small loss to the lower left corner, a number of pin holes at top two corners, 1 1/4 inch tear at left edge, otherwise fine.

A sketch for a ball gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in her breakout role as Princess Anne in William Wyler's classic 1953 comedy, Roman Holiday. The dress appears in the opening scene of the film, when the Princess is shown in newsreels greeting and dancing with dignitaries at an official reception. According to an interview with Head broadcast just after the film's release (viewable on YouTube), she made two regal costumes for the scene: one black gown and this silver brocade gown. Head explained that she ended up choosing the present silver dress because it was, "a little more photographic, a little gayer." Head won her fifth of eight Academy Awards in costume design for her work on the film.

Auction: Stage & Screen, Dec 15, 2023

  • Third Annual Stage & Screen Auction on December 15, 2023 Surpasses Expectations!
  • Art, Memorabilia, Autographs & Photographs of the Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
  • Held in Collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund


NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's third annual Stage & Screen auction on December 15, 2023 attracted determined competition from collectors and fans around the world resulting in a sale total that surpassed expectations! Held in collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund, the auction offered artwork, memorabilia, props, autographs and photographs from the vast history of the performing arts: Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.

Recognizing the importance of the performing arts to the fabric of New York, and the terrible toll the pandemic and recent strikes have taken on the entertainment community, Doyle is proud to donate 10% of our profit from this auction to the Entertainment Community Fund.

Highlighting the sale was an important 1969 letter and drawing from rock legend Freddie Mercury to Ibex bandmate Mick "Miffer" Smith that soared past its $12,000-18,000 estimate to achieve $50,400. Penned a year before forming Queen, Mercury discusses seeing Led Zeppelin, his sexuality, his songwriting, and his early bands’, Ibex and Wreckage, upcoming performances. The letter is a tour-de-force of descriptive thought and shows his growing passion for writing music.


The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund)

A special section of the auction comprising lots 5001 - 5019 featured celebrity memorabilia presented by the Entertainment Community Fund. While a portion of proceeds from every item in the auction benefited the Fund, 100% of the hammer price of the lots in this section goes entirely to the Entertainment Community Fund.

A highlight of this section was the stunning pink double-breasted velvet tuxedo jacket worn by Daniel Craig to the world premiere of No Time To Die at London's Royal Albert Hall on September 28, 2021. With competition from both sides of the Atlantic, the tuxedo jacket sold for $10,710, more than doubling its $3,000-5,000 estimate.

Founded in 1882, the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization for performing arts and entertainment professionals. The Fund helps address the specific needs of those in the industry, with a unique understanding of the challenges involved in a life in the arts. Read More ►


We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a free auction estimate.

For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141, ext 248, or email Peter.Costanzo@Doyle.com

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